​Cardiff Metropolitan University students have served up a treat with The Celtic Manor's head chef this week at the University's annual Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Industry Education Dinner.

Michael Bates, who is executive head chef at the five-star Celtic Manor in Coldra Woods, took first year BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management students at Cardiff Met under his wing to help them host a first class dinner for representatives from within the Welsh hospitality industry, as well as local schools and colleges.

Michael worked with a team of students to give them a taste of life in a professional restaurant, serving up a three course menu for 50 guests at the University's SA Brains Hospitality Suite.

The Hospitality Management students prepared a delicious three course menu of seared mackerel fillet with quinoa to start, followed by braised short rib of Welsh beef and chocolate and ginger truffle to finish. Some of the students worked in the kitchen with Michael along with Elliot McKenzie and Chris Edwards, who took part as part of their training development as trainee manager students from The Celtic Manor, while the remaining students worked front of house, serving guests.

Michael said: "At The Celtic Manor Resort we are proud to be able to support young people in achieving their career aspirations. The job market is a difficult place at the moment so young people need all of the experience they can get under their belt.

"Being able to say they have worked with hospitality professionals to cater and host an event for established industry representatives should go some way to boosting their appeal to employers. I hope it was a valuable experience which they can use on their CVs and take with them when they're applying for jobs in a couple of years' time. I was very impressed by the dedication, presentation and performance of all students involved, and all our guests seemed to enjoy their evening too."

The annual Tourism, Hospitality, Events Industry-Education Dinner is now in its third year and aims to celebrate the numerous successful working partnerships the Department of Tourism, Hospitality and Events at Cardiff Metropolitan University has forged with relevant businesses across South Wales.

The event highlights the importance of such links for students and their future careers in the tourism, hospitality or events industry and offers a thank you to those who contribute to the Department's employer advisory panel, as well as those who give up their time to deliver guest lectures and student projects. The event is also unique in that it brings together tourism and hospitality teachers from local secondary schools and further education colleges, therefore providing an ideal networking opportunity for industry and education.

Dr Nic Matthews, Head of Department said: "We pride ourselves on having excellent industry links across all of our courses and feel that nurturing employment-ready graduates is a key factor of our success. We place employability at the heart of all of our tourism, hospitality and event programmes and understanding both the requirements of and the challenges facing the industry is vital.

"Our courses include industry placements, guest speakers and live projects with industry professionals in the workplace. We are very grateful to all businesses who work in partnership with us to offer this fantastic blend of theoretical and practical experience".